40th birthday party ideas

They say that “life begins at 40”, but it’s hard to believe that you have reached this age in your (or your partner’s) life.

Time to start planning for the big day and the big party to see the next phase of your life in with a swing.

Here are a few good ideas…Surprise party

Obviously you can’t do this one on your own, but a surprise party is a great idea. To make it really effective you have to let your partner know that a party is planned – with just a few close friends, but you keep the number of people a secret.

Hire a boat

A great party venue is to hire a boat. This could either be on a river or on the sea. (Watch out for the sea as some people may get sea sick).

1975 party

A great theme for the year you (or your partner) were born. You could wear mini skirts, flares and single breasted suits. (For more search on Google for 1975 fashion and music)

Book a magician

Just about any party tends to go better with a magician. For my wife’s 40th birthday we booked a magician. He was able to split his act into two halves – the first half for the kids, the second half for the adults.

This is your life

This is just like the TV show. You build a book with the life history included in it. This is a great one to do as a PowerPoint presentation. You then proceed to introduce people from their past. You could if you want present a bound book with the newspaper from the week they were born.

Pub crawl
For my husband’s 40th, I threw him a pub crawl in Reno, rented a party bus and invited 20 of his closest guy friends.

Posted by Dawn (owner of Why Knot Party)

Fun casino party
Great fun for guests of all ages. You can hire full-size Roulette and Blackjack tables with fully trained croupiers. Everyone loves a gamble, especially when there is no real money to lose.

Posted by bigdealentertainments

Wild West Party

Wild west night Wild west nights are always a laugh. We had one for my partner when he turned 40.

We hired a mechanical bull and had his favourite 40 songs playing all night at the local centre. It was great. (Sent in by Wotattitude)

Tribute band

How about hiring a local hall / pub / function room and then hiring a tribute band?

There are lots of Tribute Bands e.g. Rolling Stones, Beatles, Jacksons, Spandau Ballet, etc. You name it, there will be one for you.
Sent in by Mark Devenport who plays in the U2 Tribute Band BloodRedSky

Wig out party

A good idea for a party is for everyone to show up with a wig and then swap wigs by the end of the night.

The host should have some extra wigs on hand for those people who arrive without a wig. (Sent in by Sam Witherspoon)

Go camping

This is best done in a farmer’s field, rather than on a camp site. You can arrange to have a camp fire and you could do your cooking on barbecues.

Beach party

A nice thing to do in hot weather is to have a party on the beach. You may need to pick a location where you are not likely to get told off. In the middle of winter you could plan an indoor beach party where you wear Hawaian shirts and spread sand on the floor. Please also see our article on Beach Party Ideas.

Themed party

There are lots of other types of themed parties that you can try.

Caribbean

Pirates

Vicars and tarts

Film stars

School dinners

For a formal party – hire a castle

Hire a castle

A castle is a great venue for a party. Many castles have a banqueting hall. Even better you could also combine it with a Medieval Banquet. This would make an unmissable event.

Hire a big villa

Hire a big villa for a week or two abroad. Share the cost with your close friends. (sent in by Salli)

1920s theme party

Dress up in spats and posh frocks. Play the Charleston. (Sent in by Melissa)

Murder mystery

Spend it at a hotel with as many friends as you can allow (or afford). Plan a ‘Murder Mystery’ game (instructions available online). Everyone should plan to stay in one area of the hotel. The possibilities are endless. (From Joanna in Arizona).

Charity party

I wanted to do something huge for my husband’s 40th but was pretty tight on cash. I wanted to book his favourite band, have showgirls, Karaoke, a petting zoo for the kids and other misc. games. The cost would have been in the thousands and I could not afford it.

So I decided that his party would also be a charity event supporting an orphanage that my husband and I often donated to. All of the entertainers agreed to play for free and the venue was also provided for free. I asked the 150 guests to make a $40 donation to the orphanage instead of buying gifts for my husband. In the end we were able to donate more than $6,000, the only cost for me was the food, cake, decorations, disposable cameras and pinata treats. In total I spent maybe $500 out of my pocket. I cannot even begin to think about what I’m going to do for his 50th. (Sent in by Sheri).

Amazing race party

All gather and complete a task at the house to receive their first clue (we had a page of riddles to solve). Teams are set by you – we did 3-4 people per team, but you keep it to couples if needed. After that it’s like a car rally, stopping here and there to pick up the items in the clues. One task involved counting the fire hydrants on one street and reporting it at a coffee shop drive-thru speaker to receive the next clue and some treats to eat on the journey. We had a friend create a task for people to do at her place. In the end, we all met at a restaurant for dinner and discussion. Many laughs! (Sent in by Peggy Churey)

Keg Party

For my husband’s 40th I threw him a suprise party. It was an old fashion Keg party and the theme was heavy metal. Perfect for the 40 crowd. We played old heavy metal music and guest wore concert T shirts to the party. I even charged $2 (went to raffle prize) to sit in our back yard. He totally loved his party! (Thanks to Lisa)

Surpise Holiday

For my 40th last year my hubby arranged a surprise party with all my family and friends, proposed to me on the night, then whisked me off to Mexico for two weeks two days later. We then arranged the wedding date for 5 weeks later. What a fantastic time and a 40th never to be forgotten …:o) x (Thanks to Julie Watson)

Vegas Party

For my husband’s 40th we had a “Vegas Party”.
It was a fantastic party! We had a live entertainer – he was a singer and performer and he got the whole crowd involved-the party was 1 huge dance floor.

We also had casino gaming tables – blackjack, poker, roulette, money wheel. Everyone dressed up so the photos look incredible. (Thanks to Trina).

Recommended Pages

I’m looking into a wine country tour and would appreciate any suggestions!

Anonymous
10 Aug at 6:53 pm

THE SIMPLE ONE
For those of you who are having a BIG one that whole weekend with their friends, but have to plan another party for their family- why no go simple.
You can go all out very subtly. Why not just have a theme- like LUXURIOUS- and go all out with luxurious food, luxurious china, luxourious decorations, while still maintaining the relaxed friendly environment with your family.

Anonymous
18 Aug at 11:13 pm

You could have a fanastic ‘- GLITZ & GLAM-‘ themed 40th party. All guested should be told to come to the party dressed to a very high standard or if that doesnt sound appropriate you can just use a theme colour but they should still spruce it up a little bit eg. have some shiny accessories !!!!!!!!! COOL! a chocolate fountain would be great ! Canapies and little bites would be perfect ! Hope u like this idea !:)

Anonymous
19 Aug at 3:27 pm

Roller skating
Hire the local Roller Skating Rink!

Anonymous
20 Aug at 3:51 pm

A funny and Family oriented Party I gave my husband for his 40th Birthday was at Chuck E Cheese’s…complete with the Buzlite Year party paper…it was a blast!

Anonymous
30 Aug at 5:50 pm

Stretched limo

Take them to their venue in style by hiring a stretched limo or horse and carriage only telling them you have booked a taxi

Anonymous
3 Sep at 8:18 pm

Weekend in Vegas – rent a suite at a nice hotel. Why not? You only turn 40 once. Invite friends – there is something to do for everyone – shopping, shows, restaurants, and hitting the casinos! People watching is also fun! Eat at only the finest restaurants, and hit the spa while you are there.

Anonymous
3 Sep at 11:05 pm

A trip to the big easy for a wild weekend on Bourbon Street. New Orleans is known for its food, live entertainment, and bars! Book a room in the historic french quarter, invite a small group of close friends if you like….or keep it simple with a romantic weekend for two.

Anonymous
9 Sep at 3:24 am

Scary Movie

My friend is 40 and wanting to see a scary movie “resident evil III” so we are having a “Nothing is scarier than 40 party!” We gouls are all dressing up as zombies etc., having drinks and appies at my house, then booking the theater so we will have a section reserved for us. Then out dancing. This will be Sept and will be fun! She will be surprised or plain scared!

Anonymous
11 Sep at 5:05 am

house party

Anonymous
16 Sep at 2:13 am

Favorite football team

My husband is a huge Dallas Cowboys fan .. the kids and I are taking him to Dallas to see his favorite team play in their home venue

Anonymous
17 Sep at 6:02 pm

white water rafting in wales , then a bottle of champagne in the evening to celebrate surviving.

Anonymous
29 Sep at 5:57 pm

I myself am turning 40 and want to go to Vegas. Anyone and all that know me could join at their own expense of course.

Anonymous
2 Oct at 10:53 pm

Hollywood/ Bollywood party

We had a hollywood/bollywood party and the tables each had a postcard of a famous actor/actress the guests were dressed to the nines and we even had a guest appearance by micheal jackson (impersinator) A great time was had by all.

Anonymous
4 Oct at 1:20 pm

A bollywood party where everyone comes dressed as a bollywood star and you can serve all indian themed food! Have bollywood movies playing on the tv in the background too!

Anonymous
10 Oct at 12:25 pm

pimps and hos

Anonymous
10 Oct at 2:45 pm

Mexican Night

Party at a Mexican Restaurant and have a “FIESTA”. Use the slogan “40 and Hot”. Decorate with red chili peppers. Wear sombreros and serve Margaritas!

Anonymous
11 Oct at 12:06 am

Things your friend should experience before he turns 40!! Like whoopy cushion, banana split in bed naked (gift a banana), a robust stripper named Dolly (gift is a dollar store doll with her clothes a little messy), wearing female underwear (gift is a tacky bright coloured bra),making love outside in the woods (gift is a bottle of calmine lotion), etc,,, All these are in a gift bag with little notes on them to say what he should do before he turns 40. These are only a few of my warped idea that are really fun for a 40th or 50th party. Carolyn Mountenay

Anonymous
14 Oct at 12:15 am

A co-worker was turning 40 and was having a hard time with it, so instead of saying it was her 40th birthday, we said it was the 19th anniversary of her 21st birthday, so we bought her all 21st birthday stuff and all day kept saying happy anniversary! She loved it, it made her feel young again! We decorated her office with 21st birthday stuff and bought her a gift cerfificate to her favorite resturant to go have drinks 🙂

Anonymous
15 Oct at 10:41 pm

A neat activity to include at a 40th party is “Remember When…” Guest, especially those who know the birthday boy/gal the longest, can tell their own funny story about the birthday boy/gal. Another is to answer questions about the birthday boy/gal and see who can answer the most correctly ( what is her favorite food?)

Anonymous
22 Oct at 1:51 am

I HAVE BOOKED MY BOYFRIENDS DREAM HOLIDAY FOR HIS 40TH BIRTHDAY. I BOOKED SOUTH AFRICIA WITH A SAFARI INCLUDED. IT IS EXPENSIVE BUT ITS PROBABLY SOMETHING WE WILL ONLY DO ONCE AND IM MAKING ONE OF HIS DREAMS COME TRUE. I BOOKED IT LAST JUNE AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PAY OFF IT WEEKLY.

Everyone wears different items of clothing in of rubix cube colours and by the end of the night you all have to be one colour!!!

Anonymous
13 Nov at 2:01 pm

For my husbands 40th we did a party around the year he was born. 1966!! Everyone came in ’60s attire and we transformed the house with hanging flowers, beads, tye dyed helium balloons, different colored lights in all the sockets. Very physodelic!! We did music from the 1960’s thru to 2006!! All the big hits from the years. It was a blast and he was very surprised!

Anonymous
14 Nov at 8:35 pm

Give them a HUGE Gift Basket. It can include things such as a holiday voucher, magazine subscription, shopping spree, movie tickets, a wine/beer/chardonnay voucher or a restaraunt voucher for 2 people (romantic dinner).

Anonymous
19 Nov at 5:55 am

Abba Night

my hubby is 40 in feb , he loves abba`s girls thigh high boots, so we are having a abba night. personaly i think he is sad. hahaha

Anonymous
28 Nov at 12:28 am

what a brilliant site! found it by accident. added to my favorites, will be on this site loads. thanks for info on 40th bithday.

Anonymous
28 Nov at 12:39 am

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Anonymous
1 Dec at 6:02 am

my mom is turning forty tomorrow!(december 2,2007). we have a very small family and we dont do much for occasions like this. but hey, 40 comes only once in a lifetime right?:) so i’ve decided to make a HUGE banner saying ‘HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY LEIGH-ANNE!’. it is the whole length of the house inside ^_^ i am also making a wall poster of ‘Remember When…’. I am only 13 and doing this alll myself! woahh, thank goodness its the weekend;)

Anonymous
2 Dec at 4:47 am

I am a golfer and intend having my 40th at a club house. At the entrance, each guest must hit a stroke before they are allowed to have cherry or juice

Anonymous
4 Dec at 2:53 pm

Favorite childhood place

Go back to a favorite childhood place.

For my wife’s 40th birthday next summer, we are going to the camp grounds that she went to each year with her family while she was growing up. She also had many birthdays there as child. We will invite friends and family and on that special day, have an evening planned of fun and games. The camping grounds now has a clubhouse so we may rent that out, have a picture/video slide show, and party with fun music and great food. Also, have some gag gifts, a trivia or Q & A to see how well people know my wife — or how well they know her past. We may have a mini skit as a reenactment of a funny scene from her life.

Anonymous
10 Dec at 6:56 pm

Attend a Wine festival, have a dinner at a nice restaurant and head to a casino

Anonymous
23 Dec at 9:58 pm

A private chartered yacht on Sydney Harbour with 50 friends. I BBQ on board as we cruise in the twighlight of the magnificent Sydney city scape.

Anonymous
30 Dec at 10:35 am

40 is the new 20

were are having a “40 is the new 20” party for my husband. Since he would have been 20 in the 80’s we are going to have a 80’s style house party with all 80’s music.

Anonymous
3 Jan at 1:17 am

NIGHT AT THE DOG RACES

go to the dog racing, have a meal and get drunk it’s lots of fun.we went to the one in sheffield

Anonymous
8 Jan at 3:50 pm

for my husbands’ 40th, we had a ‘video’ party. there were about 20 of us and we counted off 1-5, divided into teams. we had enough video cameras for each team, and each team had 2 hours to complete the task. we all had a list (the same list) of things to video tape ourselves doing…i.e.: ride the penny horse at a local grocery store for a full minute and act like you are a real cowboy, go to an electronics department and turn up one of the stereos really loud and all of you must dance like crazy, go to a restaurant and sit down with complete strangers and sample off of their plates, make a commercial for a product in any store, ect…. after 2 hours were up, we came back home and watched everyone’s videos! it was HILARIOUS!!!

Anonymous
9 Jan at 12:21 am

I’m going to a friend’s 40th that has a Playboy theme. Should be lots of fun and craziness!

Anonymous
9 Jan at 6:08 pm

Fishing trip

Go to MEXICO AND CATCH A SAIL FISH

Anonymous
9 Jan at 7:13 pm

80s birthday party

Anonymous
12 Jan at 1:24 am

home surprise party

Anonymous
16 Jan at 9:17 pm

for my husbands 40th, we had a wake. we said goodbye to his youth. we bought a coffin (halloween cardboard) and put momentos and pictures in it. we had a picture board of him. everyone wore black and had tissues. some guests stood up and talked about him as if he was not there. it was hilarious.

Anonymous
20 Jan at 12:14 am

Spa Day

For my friends 40th we had a Spa day. Booked in at 10am two course lunch at 12 then treatments from 1.30. Back massage, facial, pedicure, body scrub & tan, need i go on. Bliss ….. swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room & sauna all at our disposal. We sneaked in a bottle of champers and drank from paper cups.

Anonymous
23 Jan at 4:09 pm

we went sking with a four year old and an 8 month old baby, it was a lot of organisation and didnt do too musch sking but it was worth it. anon

Anonymous
29 Jan at 5:42 pm

Visit Disneyland

I went to Disneyland Paris for my 40th – fun if you have children. Even if you don’t, it’s a good excuse to recapture your childhood, or stay in denial!

Anonymous
3 Feb at 12:41 am

My Aunty had her 40th and it was a surprize party. Everybody hid and my uncle pretended it was a school reunion

Anonymous
4 Feb at 10:13 am

Trip around the world.

Anonymous
4 Feb at 10:13 am

the children have bought their dad a flying lesson and i am taking my husband to a health spa for the weekend.he didnt want to celebrate but hope he will enjoy these memorable events.

Anonymous
5 Feb at 11:32 pm

Helicopter ride

I went in a helicopter to Whitehaven Beach, on the Great Barrier Reef and had a picnic lunch and drank chilled champers with my husband and beautiful kids on that incredible white, white beach with blue, blue sea!. It was expensive as hell and never be able to be repeated but I loved every minute of it.

Anonymous
7 Feb at 10:17 am

Took my husband to Marrakesh. A complete surprise for him. Stayed in a private Riad which was perfection. A great 4 days!

Anonymous
10 Feb at 4:18 pm

Rent the most awesome sports car you can for a weekend.

Anonymous
11 Feb at 7:55 pm

Cocktail Party

WE HAD A COCKTAIL SURPRISE PARTY AT A LOCAL/BAR LOUNGE. THE INVITAIONS WERE IN THE SHAPE OF A MARTINI GLASS . THE FAVORS WERE A MARTINI CANDLE. WE HAD JUST FINGER FOODS, HOT AND COLD. CANDLES ALL OVER THE BAR AND BALLOONS.

Anonymous
15 Feb at 8:06 pm

All masked up!

For my 40th I have invited all the guests to come dressed very smart preferably wearing a mask. Live music, barbacue, punch fountain and chocolate fountain also. Inivitations are in the shape of a mask. Hope to have a fantastic time!

Mrs McM
21 Feb at 10:21 am

A charity party! everyone donates money to their favourite charity.

chandacastillo
22 Feb at 4:43 am

How about have a spot of comedy at the party?- Comedy Security Guards and Comedy Waiters
The first thing your guests will see as they arrive is “The Security Guards”. With a strict policy of “No Weapons” and “Strictly No Guns” guests will have to pass though a metal detector.
Loud Ozzie Waiters – Dirty, unhygienic and loud, the waiters blend in with the real serving staff, and help (or may be not) with the serving..

Ultimate Chaos
22 Feb at 4:31 pm

Old school house party

Both my husband and I are turning 40 this year, so we are having an old school house party- complete with flyers for invitations, a DJ, a bouncer, kegs, chips, etc. Everyone is to dress up in something they would’ve worn to the club back in the day. Our DJ is going to play Top 40 club music. Our party favor/souvenir…40 ouncers with labels thanking them for coming to our party. M.Brevick

Anonymous
26 Feb at 3:52 am

Austen tea-party – probably just for the girls? Come as your favourite Austen character ( dress up optional) and get a chance to spout your favourite lines. Prepare lots of tea and delicate sandwiches.

Anonymous
12 Mar at 11:29 am

For my 40th, I am planning on a series of small events for people from different parts of my life rather than trying to cram them all into one party ( where often you don’t get around to spending time with everyone individually anyway).
1. Take a cooking class with a small group of friends – try cooking some cuisine you’ve never attempted before ( Portuguese? Moroccan? Native Aboriginal?)
2. Winery tour with lunch at the winery ( in Sydney, at the Hunter Valley, Wyndham Estate do these 4 times per year, once per season)
3. Star Trek Theme Party, cos I am a nerd and have other nerdy friends who also like ST.
4. Definitely the harbour cruise idea mentioned above ( esp as I live and work overseas now but will be back in Sydney for my 40th)

Anonymous
12 Mar at 11:35 am

Mardi Gras

My husband just had a surprised party for my 40th.the theme was merdi gras.Beads&feathered masks were given to all guests, the center pieces were colored feathered vases filled with beads n coins & the caske was awesome & had giant feathered mask. The big surprise was that he hired 2 somba dances to complete the theme.It was a blast.

Anonymous
20 Mar at 11:18 pm

hire a hall and have a huge sleepover !!!!1

Anonymous
26 Mar at 10:19 am

for my birthday i hired a hall and all my mates dressed up as docter who it was the best

Anonymous
26 Mar at 10:20 am

Barbeque / Bowling night.

An easy dinner with friends then off to the lanes for bowling. We had contests/prizes and trophies.

Anonymous
26 Mar at 6:53 pm

film stars

Anonymous
27 Mar at 10:13 am

Have an ice cream bar delivered to your party. The perfect way to cool down after being on the dance floor. Because everyone loves ice cream

Anonymous
31 Mar at 10:02 am

70s weekend

its my 40th this year and are spending times with friends at an adult only 70s weekend at butlins there great fun

Anonymous
31 Mar at 6:00 pm

Singles party

It’s my 40th at the end of the year and being single, I am having friends “Bring a Bachelor”. Will be giving away a weekend getaway as a prize for the friend who’s Bachelor is chosen at the end of the night. Should be a hoot!

Anonymous
2 Apr at 5:49 pm

I celebrated my 40th this past December 2007 in Las Vegas.
We went with 4 couples and stayed the weekend there…we had a blast! Great hotel, spas, shopping and an amazing dinner at Del Frescos Steak House. Afterwards, we went to the “Love Beatle’s” Cirque de Solei concert since I was born in 1967. What a great show!! I had gift bags in my friends hotel room…complete with gourmet chocolates, candles, DVD of 1967 happenings,and other goodies.
We all left Sunday morning with the best memories!

Anonymous
3 Apr at 5:38 am

Cabin Fever

For my mom’s 40th birthday this year we are goin to have a surprise camping trip at the KOA camp ground! All of my mom’s family and friends will be invited and every family will pay for thier own cabin! We will celebrate all night long! We’ll do about every thing there as far as swiming, fishing, making smores at a camp fire, and havin those good old creepy ghost storys!

Anonymous
8 Apr at 9:14 pm

For my husbands 40th I took him to Sydney for the weekend and we climbed the Harbour Bridge, it was a memorable weekend and something different to do!

Anonymous
13 Apr at 10:23 am

For my mums 40th we hired out a hall and had a massive food fight party which by the end wasnt a very pretty sight!

Anonymous
15 Apr at 9:54 pm

For my dads 40th his friends and neibours all came as characters from dvds and videos. WIGS AND ALL !

Anonymous
20 Apr at 6:11 pm

For my friend’s 40th birthday we have themed it a girls night out where we are all meeting for drinks and apps. then the limo is taking us to the Gypsy Rose Dance Studio to learn how to pole dance and strut our stuff, then we will be off to the local night clubs. She is the type that loves the spotlight and this is right up her alley!!!!! We are all looking forward to the laughs that this night will bring and hope that she enjoys it too!

Anonymous
23 Apr at 1:18 am

Underwater theme

My 40th was an underwater theme … as a scuba diver it was very appropriate. My husband dressed in a great white shark costume and I was a sea horse! We had games … relay teams putting on fins, masks etc. run to the other end and take it off before passing it to the next person. Got some great video! Of course there were a few king neptunes etc. but some people got creative and came as a surgeon (surgeon fish), rock lobster (complete with electric guitar), jelly fish, angler fish, sailors, octopus etc.

Anonymous
29 Apr at 12:15 am

For my friends 30th we threw a surprise party, he is an actor so we used his headshot but any cool pic of the birthday person will do….i then photocopied a whole bunch of them, cut around the face, stuck a straw on the lower back of it and made masks of his head!! so when he walked in!!! we all were him!! we stuck the extra head up around the house and stuck em all up with silly quotes he wd say!! a total blast!

Anonymous
7 May at 12:07 am

Bling Party

For my 40th I had a ‘Bling’ party, just an excuse really for us girls to get glammed up and sparkle for the night!

Some people did adopt the chav/hip hop look in connection with bling. We had a total blast and everyone said what a fab party it was.

I transformed a room in my house into a disco room with metallic curtains at the doorways, disco scenesetter on the walls, loads of helium balloons, disco lights and brilliant music. I also did a write up for all of my guests which included a photo of everyone and a write up – my memories of them, the good times we’d shared, a special message etc etc, everyone loved theirs and wanted a copy each. Also I did a slideshow which I showed through my tv of photos of all of my guests throughout the years and believe me there were some dodgy photos, this just played on a continuous loop all night.

It really was a wonderful night and the 300 photos taken my everyone reflect this!!

Anonymous
8 May at 1:14 pm

40 is the new 30!

By the time you are 40, you ought to have found your purpose in life and be well on the way to owning all the things that you have always dreamt about.
More importantly, for your big 40th birthday party, you should be able to take a deep breath and treat yourself to a real life-size, full throttle, champagne popping celebration, to start your new life.

If you are planning such an event in the spirit that I have suggested, then you will need some quality entertainment. A party without entertainment, is called a meeting.

Anonymous
9 May at 8:12 am

In warm weather…rent a tent and have a clam bake catered at your house.

Anonymous
14 May at 1:38 am

Old fashion KEG party
Hire a DJ and party like it’s 1999

Anonymous
15 May at 5:18 am

Disco, Disco, Disco

a simple but fun idea

why not hire a big room with a bar and invite the family and friends and have a disco….

Anonymous
30 May at 12:42 pm

Simply Fablous at 40!

Anonymous
1 Jun at 12:22 am

My dad turned 40 two years ago and we rented out a ballroom. It was smaller so everyone, around 30 guests, had time to chat with one another. We had a throw back to his youth. When you first walked in the room there was a huge frame full of pictures from his past. Most embrassing, people had a good time remembering what was then. We also had drinks in glass bottles and RC things he enjoyed “way back when” everyone had a great time remembering when!

Anonymous
1 Jun at 12:24 am

Getting away from it all

Taking husband to Aspen since he loves to ski and heading to Carribean’s white sandy beach as another surprise.

Anonymous
4 Jun at 3:22 am

My husband and his best friend are both turning 40 this year. His wife and I bought tickets for a football game where their college teams were playing each other. We bought the game tickets and airline tickets 9 months in advance to make sure we were able to get good seats at the game. We are bringing both of our families and invited other college friends to come to the game and we will party afterwards.

Anonymous
20 Jun at 11:52 pm

London bus party

we had a london bus party where everyone had to dress up as routemasters and people were only allowed in in threes !!! Summer Holiday rang out until the small hours, especially as my best mate came as Melvyn Hayes !!! Got some great video and some fabulous memories.

Anonymous
30 Jun at 9:44 pm

I really like that idea, about having a party around the year your partner was born, good job!

REbecca
11 Jul at 5:02 pm

have a backyard bbq with friends and family

Anonymous
21 Jul at 7:35 am

my mum is turning 40 in august and we’re just having friends and family over at our house on our back deck. we’re going to have drinks and a barbecue. also we’re going to decorate the whole house!!!!!

Anonymous
21 Jul at 7:39 am

The good life

For my fortieth we had “La dulce vita”(the good life) theme. It was an italian lunch with waiters who started to sing opera after the main meal. We danced well into the evening

darlene
21 Jul at 5:13 pm

Both myself and my partner have 2 years and 7 months to plan our 40th’s. Thanks for all the ideas here, we can start saving now and hopefully have a lavish bash – lol

Poems
23 Jul at 3:40 pm

I’m hosting a friend’s 40th next weekend and the theme is ” Formal, not normal” so I’m expecting people to come dressed to the 9’s, but with a twist: Tuxedo with shorts, ballgown with sneakers etc!

Jodi
27 Jul at 12:34 pm

ACCITO Venetian Masks and Masquerade Accessories for Parties – full of mystery and suprise

ACCITO Venetian and Masquerade Ideas
30 Jul at 7:00 pm

My sisters-in-law are I are planning a Do’s Party..Hair Do’s that is for my husband’s 40th. Hairs styles thru the years is the theme. We are going to make T-shirts with pictures of my husbands changing hair do’s thru the years. Picture on the front and to make it fun we will put the year of the hair do on the back of the shirt for people to try to guess. We can’t wait…

Krissy
8 Aug at 1:42 pm

Scavenger hunt

Got lots of great ideas from you site, but got a good one from the different ideas you have here. My wife is having her 40th and we are going to have a Scavenger hunt with a bit of a twist. Everyone having to bring back items on a list, and / or take picture documenting delegated activities. The big catch is every is required to Cross Dress. Men dress as women and women dress as men. After meet up for food and drinks and dancing.

Robert
14 Aug at 8:13 pm

‘A case of 40s for a case of the 40s’
40 ounce bottles come 12 in a case

Order or make custom 40oz koozies commemorating the big day:

Happy Birthday (name here)!
August 15, 1968 (except their bday here)

And some saying like:

Pushing 40 and still gangsta!
(even if they aren’t…or never have been…it’s just a silly theme…and fun thing to do for a 40 year old with some party left in them)or

40s aren’t so bad when their dressed well ; ) (referring to the 40 oz image, the koozie…and the well dressed 40 year old that you know.

It’s just a silly gag/theme for a 40 year old’s party when a few laughs and a few beers are on the agenda.

Cindy
16 Aug at 3:43 am

I gave my husband a Suprise Party, everyone had a blast.I didn’t want my house to get dirty so I rented a clubhouse and a D.J..and I gave the D.J. cd’s with my husbands pictures from the time he was born till recently and my D.J. played the pictures on his monitors.My husband LOVED it and the guest were entertained while they were waiting for us to arrive.

Sandra ( Florida)
17 Aug at 2:22 am

suprise them with tickets to their dream holiday

anonemus
18 Aug at 10:18 am

Saling lessons

My dad recently turned 40, he’d already had a huge suprise birthday party for his 30th birthday, so we decided to do something special together on a smaller scale. We organised a weekend sailing lesson at our local watersports centre and a week’s holiday to Lake Garda to practise what he’d learnt. We also bought him some personalised ales from http://www.WineGifts4U.co.uk, which he took out to Italy with him!

Sabina
18 Aug at 1:26 pm

Pink Party

i,m turning 40 on sat and we re having a pink party everyone has to wear something pink .thought it would be interesting

Im having a totally 80s themed 40th with all 80s music and 80s fancy dress.

caroline
5 Oct at 7:23 am

Hawiian/beach party

I’m turning 40 on 25th Oct.My family have organised a hawiian/beach party. We have bought scene setters and boarders for the back yard. Have been able to purchase cheap decorations from the cheap shops ( crazy’s, warehouse, overflow etc) Using my husbands old surfboards that he swears he will get back up on ( one day ) as tables suspended from our trees. Looking forward to great weather, great company & a great night. Having a BBQ for tucker & a cocktail machine.

Kylie, Brisbane. QLD
6 Oct at 7:47 am

My husband is turning 40 this year,our kids and I are planning a surprise party. The theme is “Dodger Blue” because he is a huge Dodgers fan! We made invites that look like game tickets. We have prepared Dodgers trivia questions and will be giving out prizes for correct answers. We will serve Dodger dogs, beer and all the fun food you would find at Dodger stadium. We have also asked the guests to wear their Dodger gear…it will be a blast!

Ana fron Phoenix
7 Oct at 6:30 am

I am having my 40th birthday party at a snazzy restaurant called Salsa on the 6th of Dec. As my birthday falls on Xmas day it is early, but this will probably be a birthday party with lots of friends for the first time ever! I have a three course meal planned, close friends (120) A DJ who will play music on the hour every hour from the 60’s thru to 2008! I have organised a salsa dance after the main meal, funky cup cakes and loot bags to take home! My theme is ” elegantly wasted” a bit of both, interpret it as you wish, this soon-to-be 40yr old will ofcourse start off elegantly and rotate to being wasted!! (once my dad goes home to rest) with love from Sunny South Africa!

Louise
7 Oct at 3:29 pm

Field of dreams

I rented a baseball field!

Kathi
17 Oct at 5:47 pm

My 40th is coming in nine months and i’am having an All White Dress code.

Shelley
23 Oct at 12:43 am

IM 40 IN DEC 08! MY FAV FILM OF ALL TIME IS GREASE SO WHY NOT HAVE A PINK LADYS AND T” BIRDS
DO? OR ANOTHER ONE IS DIRTY DANCING!!! HAVE FUN! HOPE I DO!!! LOL!

sally
23 Oct at 1:17 pm

I want to take my three best girls to a day at the spa, then stay in a suite at the Bonaventure hotel in Los Angeles.

Mona
25 Oct at 3:01 am

Bali hi

For my 40 th im going to bali with my best mates

cazz
25 Oct at 4:10 am

New York, New York

My husband is originally from New York, so I’m going to have everything New York-themed: all the New York sports teams with pennants and the like, New York food (pizza, egg creams, cheesecake, etc.) and, of course, play Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” throughout the night. Maybe we’ll even try to talk with New York accents!

Cindy Lou
4 Nov at 7:48 pm

I turned forty this year and had a hawaiian party organised by my wife, she did a great job everyone wore hawaiian shirts and grass skirts.
cocktails were had and limbo dancing competition as well as a fully decorated hall with palm tress the lot , babarcued food the lot , great fun especially the ladies not wearing very much ! tara

keith crossingham
11 Nov at 12:46 pm

My best friend since I was 7 years old (33 years) is turning 40 in a few days. I have one complete workday to celebrate her birthday and have her back home to celebrate with her husband by dinner time. I plan to start off with a tiera and a pagent sash to officially crown her 40! Then, I plan to take her to the day spa at Dillard’s for a spa package and later to an elegant restaurant for a late lunch.

cora
18 Nov at 2:56 am

My sister turned 40 a couple of years ago. Since she lives 1000 miles away, I had emailed 40 family and friends and asked them to send a birthday card to her with a one dollar bill. As her day approached, she couldn’t understand why she recieve only $1 in each card until she added all the cards up. $40

Paula
19 Nov at 10:31 pm

Spice it all up

How about “40 But Still Spicy!” for the spicy food enthusiast? My husband loves hot peppers and spicy food so we’re doing a pot-luck surprise party and having everyone bring a spicy or mildly spicy side dish while I provide the BBQ chicken and ribs along with margaritas and beer. For decorations, I’m using chili pepper plates and napkins along with orange and yellow plastic table cloths sprinkled with chili pepper confetti. For guests’ games, we’re doing a chili pepper quiz, a roast of the birthday boy, guess the # of hot candies in a jar, and a trivia game about the guest of honor. We’ll put out old yearbooks, report cards and a collage of his pictures from 40 years ago to the present while playing old home videos of him as a kid, with the volume turned off because we’ll have his favorite music playing.

Michelle
2 Dec at 5:29 pm

about a love night in??!!with rose pettles

Anonymous
7 Dec at 6:52 pm

I celebrated for 40 days with 40 friends and it was fabulous. I thought why keep the 40th celebrations to one night only it is over too quickly. I also get frustrated at big parties because I never seem to have enough time to talk to everyone in any depth and I love to connect with friends.

I found different things to do with small numbers of people, or even just 1-1 with people, until I had celebrated with 40! It ranged from going to a music festival, having 2 friends cook me a surprise caviar omelette for my breakfast(!), to going out for drinks, going out for a meal, to having a sing-a-long … to almost anything.

Ok I made the mistake of doing this for my husbands 38th birthday in which this year is his 40th and I have NO idea how to top it. We decided to do a surprise Roast (like you see on Comedy central) we had 4 people speak – it was hilarious. They had slide shows and bringing up things from the past. the best part was he was so scared when he found out it was a roast and a lot of his co-workers where present – if they did not know him before they do now.

Melissa
18 Dec at 5:04 am

A Wild West theme party is a great idea as no one minds putting on a pair of jeans and checked shirt. A Rodeo Bull ride is brilliant fun for adults and older kids and other popular items are Cork Gun Ranges, and Quick Draw Shooting games. A few Wild West theme props help with the themeing.

Wild West Events Ltd
18 Dec at 11:07 am

I’m throwing a “Stock the Bar” party at my BF’s house. He never thought he’d live this long and now he’s out of liquor! His bar is his castle and so I suggested bar items and booze and beers n such. We are also having a poker tourney and blackjack.

logogurl
19 Dec at 3:24 am

A bottle of champagne</a> with your message on the full colour personalised label

Mark
21 Dec at 6:43 pm

Strictly Ballroom

my mum died about a year before my dad’s 40th and me being the oldest Child of 4 i had to take on the responability of helping more around the house i remember my mum had left all of us kids for our savings and with that money we hired out my mum’s favorite ball room (she went ball room dancing) and we trough my dad a party and all funds that were made went to our favorite charity In 2005 it was my mothers first anerversary so i also did a ball i miss my mum allot but i know she is looking down on me and is very proud

Samantha
12 Jan at 4:29 am

Take a private plane to your favorite and stay the weekend

Mel
19 Jan at 2:42 am

For my 40th Birthday, I will be having my party at a friend’s house. I’m single and the Theme will be “Back in the Day”. You can dress anyway you would have ‘back in the day’.

Our parties always last all night, so it will end up being a sleep over for the closest friends. We will cook breakfast sometime that morning and have a ‘movie day’ the next day.

Danielle
19 Jan at 7:57 pm

Horse back ride

My friend took about 10 of her closest friends on a horse back ride.The trail ride took us all to a local pub for lunch then back to the ranch.
It was a great day.

Tina
22 Jan at 12:01 am

Afternoon Tea with the girls!

It’s a modern classic!

Soft Bridge rolls, clotted cream scones with strawberry jam and sweet tarts washed down with a glass or two of bubbly (tea for them that’s pregers!)

BEST way to spend the day…

Kirsty
23 Jan at 1:58 pm

Throw a surprise 40th on their 39th birthday!
My brother in law is always playing practical jokes on others so we threw him a surprise 40th on his 39th! It was hilarious!

jane
24 Jan at 8:51 am

My husand and I both turned 40 in the same year so I figured 40 plus 40 is 80, so we had an 80’s party. Music, clothes, even food (remember the first nacho’s !) It was lots of fun.

Nadine
24 Jan at 4:17 pm

Some very good ideas here. If you’ll be turning 40 and were born in 1969, have the name of your party sound like Prince’s song 1999. “We gonna party like its 1969.” (Or some variation around that) Happy Birthday to everyone born in 1969. WE’RE HERE! CAN U BELIEVE IT?

Tim
1 Feb at 12:14 am

Rock star

I’m 40 in about 4 weeks time and will be having a “Rock star” themed party. I’ll have 40 people coming over – everyone will dress as their favourite Rock star. Can’t decide… Madonna or Pink!!!

Jenny S
1 Feb at 12:50 pm

Give them a BIRTHDAY LAWN GREETING!!!!!! Hire a local lawn greeting company to sneak into the yard under the cover of darkness and FILL the whole lawn with PINK flamingos, cows, pigs, chickens, buzzards, tombstones, etc! Its a great gift that the WHOLE neighborhood will love!!

Kelly
5 Feb at 9:22 pm

My wife and I turn 40 this year, so we rented a local movie theater for 1 hour and are having an film fest with short animated films. I put together a surprise slide show to end the festival on the big screen using music she likes, including family photos and photos of us as babies. Afterward we walked to a local restaurant for a catered lunch.

AJ
6 Feb at 5:31 am

Am organizing my own 40th this year at a hoteland decided on a bit of glamour and a night the guest wouldn’t forget either. So, apart from a DJ, there will be a CARICATURIST & A SLIGHT-OF-HAND-MAGICIAN. Also I’m preparing some LEAFLETS to spread around listing things from 1969: Top 10 Hits, Films, Famous births/deaths, Things that happened in 1969, and a few quiz type of questions too. Hopefully this will get strangers talking. Old photos of me around a well should raise a laugh(hairstyles in particular)!

Chloe
28 Feb at 12:52 pm

Cooking class

I’m thinking of taking a cooking class alongside some of my close friends. It’s certainly different from all of the cocktail and dinner parties I’ve been to in the past. I enjoy hosting friends at my home, cooking appetizers and sometimes full dinner so I’m not an amateur but I love picking up news skills in the kitchen.

I think a cooking class would be fun because it’s original and everyone can get something out of it and benefit from the lessons.

Julia
13 Mar at 1:39 pm

My husband is a bit of a thrill seeker,on the morning of his 40th he will be jumping out of a plane.He knows i have a plan for him just does not know what it is,the dvd should be good to watch.

Anonymous
14 Mar at 6:09 pm

Going Green

Im turning 40 next month.Im having green as my theme.Green means life and life begins at 40.

Ruby Canedo
18 Mar at 6:39 am

For my BF 40th who lives hundreds of miles away, I sent her a Time Capsule trivia game. I came up with 41 trivia questions starting with 1968 to 2008. For the 41 days leading up to her birthday she had to open one a day starting with 1968. She had all day to figure out the answers but wasn’t allowed to get help anyone. If she got it right she got a gift. The gifts corresponded with the question. Ex: when was the DVD patented – and the gift was a DVD slide show of her & I through the years with all our crazy adventures. You can get good ideas for questions at Wikepedia by looking up cool facts from each year. At the end of the 41 days we had a huge surprise party for her. The 41 trivia & gifts game kept her busy while we were secretly planning her party

C
23 Mar at 1:03 pm

a supries party with friends!!!

aly torry
28 Mar at 11:12 am

Surfing Party

We are going to have a surfin’ party. Once a surfer always a surfer. Beach theme. surfing movies ect..

Bec
30 Mar at 9:31 pm

I myself am turning 40 in May and we are going on an 8 day crusie to the carribean and having a “40 and Fabulous” cocktail party upon our return with live music. I will also decorate with pictures through my life and have them playing on the TV during the party.

Carol
10 Apr at 1:55 pm

I’ll be 40 in 6 months and I don’t have a theme yet. I really like the idea everyone wearing the same color and the decorations the same. I also like the music through the decades idea. When I make a decision, I’ll update everyone on what I have come up. Thanks for the ideas!

Anonymous
27 Apr at 1:50 am

For my 40th we hired a bus and we are going on a Mystery Ghost Bus Tour! The bus takes a special route and you have off the bus stops at several pubs in between.
I think this is going to be blast!

Wilma
21 May at 11:30 am

Alphabet Party.

You give every guest a letter from the alphabet with their invitation. And they have to wear something begining with that letter, bring a drink begining with that letter and some food. Example, I went to a party like this and got an R. I took rum to drink, some rice crispy cakes to eat and wore a rope noose around my neck.

Jayne
26 May at 2:35 pm

I am toying with a lot of different ideas for my husband’s 40th, but I think the theme is going to be a Star was Born in 1969. I will ask all the guest to wear black and white. The party will be black and white with accents of gold.

Anonymous
31 May at 5:56 am

James Bond

My hubby just turned 40 and we are having a party in a month (as we are too busy with work as are all our friends!!). We are having James Bond as the theme and asking all our friends to either dress as a 007 Character or in Casino Attire. Our colour theme is black & silver and we are having all the theme music from the Bond movies in the background. We are having all the drinks in martini glasses and finger food for nibbles.His cake is a mud cake with an edible James Bond logo on the top (that I am having made by “cakes around town” in Brisbane) with black & silver ribbon around the sides.It is easy to dress up for this party as most people have clothes in their wardrobe that are suitable.

Clare
2 Jun at 12:18 am

Great ideas…
For my girlfriends 49th we will be having a cocktail party. Each person will bring a cocktail to enter in the contest. We will all get to try a bit of each cocktail. At the end each person will be given a ticket to vote. The drink with the most tickets by it wins a prize…

NW
5 Jul at 12:00 am

For my 40th – a week of houseboating and fireworks on the beach. A great time had by all…

RLA
8 Jul at 6:07 pm

My sister in law is turning 40. She has recently gone back to college. In fact many of our friends are going back to school to work on Masters, etc. We will be hosting a back to college TOGA party, complete with red plastic cups, keg bear, and pizza. For those who prefer not to wear a toga, we’re asking them to wear a their college jersey. The dj will play top 40s. We will keep the kids busy by letting them toilet paper front of the house.

Tami
14 Jul at 2:14 am

Iam turning 40 this December. But instead of calling it my 40th, I am 20 again. Having my picture put on my cake,and the cake will say Happy 20 Again! Even posting an invitation on my high school website.

Tracie Wakelee
14 Jul at 4:29 am

Off to Italy

For my 40th I really wanted to go to Italy but having my youngest not quite 2 yet was going to to much to ask of him on a 24 hr plane trip..no thank-you not this year anyway! So I’m bringing Italy to me by celebrating with 40 of my closest friends for a big Italian feast at a local Piazza in Sydney. My invitations were going to be in the shape of Italy ‘The boot’ but I chose a more girly approach and its an beautiful Italian shoe & I also asked everyone to wear something Italiano.

Jody
17 Jul at 11:45 am

rent out a pizza place for a few hours for fun with friends and drinks

Anonymous
23 Jul at 12:57 am

for my wife’s 40th, we threw a huge surprise party. We invited over 50 guests, and had a very good band play. She never suspected anything. And although she didnt want a party, she ended up having a great time.

George Regnerus
23 Jul at 3:14 pm

Have a birthday greeting on the label of the wine.

winelabels
25 Jul at 8:48 pm

tea party 🙂
i did that for my best friend and she loved it

samatha
26 Jul at 6:31 am

My husband will be 40 in September 2009, and he has a big family & lots of friends. My idea is, why wait for the evening when we could celebrate his bday through out the whole day. So, maybe the kids & I will do something with him for breakfast, organise lunch with his family and spend the evening with friends.

Daphne
27 Jul at 2:25 am

when i turned 40 we had just had our third baby and had little money to spare. so i had a big bbq in a site out in the woods at lunchtime. it was really inclusive as every one brought stuff to add to it, the kids (big and small)played volley ball and generally chilled most of the day.

nellie
29 Jul at 1:17 pm

My husband is renting 6 rooms in NY City for 12 of my closest friends and we will be going bar hopping all night long.

Terri
11 Aug at 1:29 am

I love the boat idea. I’m going to try and work that into my fathers birthday. Thanks for the ideas.

Party Planning Lover
20 Aug at 12:21 pm

I’m turning 40 September 2009 – I’m having a Prohetic theme – (40 yrs in the desert, now entering the Promised Land) with love ones and friends !!
My thanks go to the Lord !!!!!

Anne-Marie Engelbreg
25 Aug at 1:32 pm

I am turning 40 in Sept.. I am thinking of something to do since u only turn 40 once my guy is suppose to be planning something will let you know wat it is ?

Maam
28 Aug at 12:30 am

For my dads 40th, we are taking him to watch his football team and we are hiring a box to have a football party while watching the game !!

We may meet the players too !!

Alice Xx
28 Aug at 10:37 am

Broadway here we come

In March 2010 I will turn 40, my mom 60, and my daughter 18. All 3 of us are planning a trip to NY city for a couple days of shopping, Broadway, and great food!!!!!

Sue
30 Aug at 1:26 am

my husband is turning 40 this Sept and since he is a big kid at heart we are having a surprise superhero party. All the guests are coming dressed as their favorite comic book character, should be a blast!

Renee
5 Sep at 9:16 pm

GOING TO INVERNESS AND CRUISING ON THE LOCH LOOKING FOR NESSIE ALL 13 OF US WEARING TARTAN! OCH AYE THE NOO!

LILY
10 Sep at 9:39 pm

Im having a rainbow themed Prom for mu 40th this year as we didnt have school proms when i left school & cant wait to dress up…. Also Im guarenteed to be Prom queen …

Sharon
21 Sep at 9:58 pm

Writ a wonderful card and it will shuly chang there lefe and make them happy

SARAH
26 Sep at 7:55 pm

I turned 40 Feb.09 and since I grew up in the 80’s … I had an 80’s party … we dressed in 80’s gear .. 80’s music …. 80’s trivial pursuit …. it was fun … aww the good ol days!! 🙂

Lena
27 Sep at 2:26 pm

Pirate Party

Pirate looks at 40 party. Hawaiin Shirts, Jimmy Buffet music and related drinks and atmosphere. Lots of fun!! Plus many of our friends also turn 40!

Mo
29 Sep at 6:29 pm

I organised a 40th birthday bash for a friend a few weeks ago, the theme was “Forty and funky… A tribute to Micheal Jackson”. Most invitees were told before the d-day to prepare to be a part of a remake of the “Thriller” Video as the celebrant was a big MJ fan. Lots of bbq (meat, fish n chicken), 80’s music and dance from the “soul train” era… alchohol; wine, spirit n beer, sourvenirs and give aways all done in a club-house environment. You should’ve see us all do the “Thriller” thingy after a couple of alchoholic gulps… with urs sincerely playing the part of Micheal Jackson. Flashy disco lighted dancefloor with lots of helium balloons. The celebrant had to join in… Hilarously memorable.

Fred
1 Oct at 12:29 pm

My birthday is Hallow’s eve (devils night for some) so we are having a costume/birthday party. costumes are mandatory. DJ, fog maching and lots of “scary” food and drinks. looking forward to it. we also rented a hall and will decorate in a festive theme for halloween.

val
3 Nov at 9:04 pm

my dad’s gonna be 40 next month + we’re planning on having a surprise party 4 him + inviting people he hasn’t seen in years, as well as his newer friends. Family invited 2, and kids, of course!!!!!!

Ailís northern ireland
3 Nov at 9:47 pm

I’m turning 40 this month and did not want a big party. So my husband and I reserved a suite at a local hotel. We are going for an early dinner and then having friends back to our suite for a party and a night out at the bars.

Lainie
7 Nov at 4:08 am

I had a Heavy metal party for my husband. I can’t think of any other music that defines this generation better. It was a surprise party. All of our guest wore heavy metal band T-shirts, thoese who did not paid $2 to sit in our back yard(like back when we were in high school).

Anonymous
8 Nov at 8:47 pm

My 40th birthday is in Jan 10. I am aiming for some glitz and glamour and hence pushing forward the idea of celebrating it in May when there is longer daylight for those ice cool ideas!After all I am 40 through the year until the clock hits 2011!!Bring it on.. The idea is to have themed tables according to the friends you have had through the decades…but mix and jazz it up with games at guessing..who is who..

Ella
22 Nov at 6:28 pm

Whatever you do make sure it’s something that the person who is 40 likes… not something that’s convenient for the guests instead… that will end in tears! If you can’t have what YOU like when you’re 40, when can you??

Duncan
24 Nov at 1:17 pm

for my 39th i had a beach themed “white party” (everyone wore white). it was held in my parents considerably sized yard that is near a small lake. i rented a large tent and used 3 other smaller tents to form a courtyard with a 6 by 10 kiddie pool in the center with floating candles. also i had a dj light that changed colors intermittently. at night it made the white tent glow each color.

I hired a face and body painter, a photographer, a masseuse for chair massages, and someone to give us salsa lessons. i provided some alcohol and light fair, but also had food vendors on hand as well.

i am a dj, so there was also music and dancing under the tent.

later in the evening i had a limo on hand to give rides, home or just around and back.

over 100 people had a great time. my issue now is my 40th. how do i top 39.

Christopher
25 Nov at 6:59 am

enqirinig about salsa dancing including meal for a 40th birthday event

resham
7 Dec at 7:27 pm

My husband is turning 40 in the spring. When he turned 30 I blindfolded him and took him to Niagara Falls (an hour away from home) and had him tattooed while a bunch of his friends watched. So now that he’s turning 40 it’s time to have him inked again. We’ve rented a hall and invited 150 of his best friends (lol!). Hired a tattoo artist to come in and give him ink while we all watch. Also have a DJ and live band to provide more entertainment. Closest friends are bringing munchies and the hall provides the cash bar. We’re charging a $20 entrance and expect around 80 of the 150 to show up. Half the money will cover party expenses, and half the money will be shared between the Birthday Boy and a lucky guest (each will win around $400!)

Sharon
10 Dec at 5:13 pm

50/60 s night motown like diana ross and the supremes gladys knight

SARAH LOUISE KIDGER
14 Dec at 10:57 am

Rent a party bus for around 20-30 guests and have it take you to a restaurant then to a local indian casino for more partying and fun.

Patty
14 Dec at 5:54 pm

My husband is turning 40 in February and I am throwing him a SURPRISE party..I have rented a hall, have hired a rock band (80’s) that will dress as Van Halen (his favorite band) and will have electric guitars all over the place with the design just like Eddie Van Halen’s…then I am going to make a mask for everyone with my husband’s face on it, so that when he walks in everyone puts the mask on and little by little, they will reveal themselves…also the cake is the Van Halen’s guitar..ha!

just me
22 Dec at 9:10 pm

I wanted input for my fortieth this feb. any ideas.

Stephanie
28 Dec at 7:54 pm

well for my moms 40th in december ( i know ages way xx) we are hiring a pub and having a bit of a glow in the dark with peope wearing gow up bracets and neckaces

emma
1 Jan at 1:35 pm

I came across the Mario Andretti school of racing. I wanted to arrange something amazing for my husbands upcoming 40th so I registered on their website for updates etc. lo and behold they emailed me an opportunity for Steve to learn to race indy cars with Mario Andretti HIMSELF! They were expanding the racing school to the eastcoast and Mario would be at Lowes motor speedway to instruct personally, talk about a slam dunk! MARIO ANDRETTI! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? were his exact words, the pictures and the autographs of that day we will treasure forever. Too bad he was only 38 at the time and I jumped the gun two years early! Do you thing Lewis Hamilton is busy this April when he actually does turn 40? BTW it was not super pricey.

Desiree
7 Jan at 3:26 am

For a gift I bought an old -black- ladies handbag at a thrift shop and filled it with lots of “old stuff” i.e. hairnet/depends/wrinkle diminisher/jar of baby prunes/huge pill box/etc – called it the “Old Bags Bag”

donna
10 Jan at 6:40 am

For my husbands 40th, I’ve arranged a surprise birthday party, and we’ve booked a caribbean cruise with our close friends. The holidays a couple of months after his birthday, so thought the surprise party would go down a treat.
He thinks he’s going for a meal with our closest and regular friends – on route to the meal, he thinks we’re picking up our friends from our local Golf Club who are attending a wake – this is where we’re having the party – so when he goes in to collect them – everybody will jump out from the party room – that’s the plan anyway.
I have a £2000 budget, and for that I’ve made a big cake, catered for 100 people, and booked a Take That Tribute band. I’m also going to plaster the walls with funny pictures of the hubby.
He’s not got a clue about the party. Can’t believe nobody has let it slip – I’ve not told my two children as they would definately let the cat out of the bag.

Joanne
12 Jan at 10:06 pm

I arranged a surprise Bollywood party for my husband’s 40th…he had no idea and we had a fabulous evening. Everyone enjoyed dressing up. It was a night we’ll never forget.

Adrienne
17 Jan at 6:53 pm

For my husbands 4oth we hired a steam train and had a meal in the dining car – it was ideal for all ages. In the evening we released lanterns -but I recommend only the ones with no wire as the metal poses a danger to wildlife.

joe b
22 Jan at 7:05 pm

For my husbands 40th i arrange a weekend away we went to manchester on the train stayed at the macdonalds hotel for two nights went to see we will rock you and had family and friends do our house up with decorations and photos of him from birth to present day and we had a surprise party on our return it was fab he really enjoyed it oh also to make it fun i did little clue cards for him to read during different stages of the weekend starting from the moment he awoke on the friday morning to us coming home on sunday.

Angie
24 Jan at 9:13 pm

for my husband i gave him 400 dollars and told him to spend it that day like brewsters milions,i brought him to las vegas and he spent it there,it was deadly,he also had a surprise casino party at home,all guest were given jobs on arival and wore nametags,ie..dealer or toilet cleaner,somebody got security and we had a big blackjack game going on,got local chipper to deliver sausage and chips for 60 people and everybody got a supper ticket on arrival…i did nothing on the night and we had a ball..!!!

grace
27 Jan at 2:49 am

it’s my 40th in may and i’m thinking of having a party at home with a celebrtiy heads theme – when the guests arrive they’re given a headband with the name of a celebrity on it and have to talk to other gests to find out who they are. prizes awarded to the first to guess

Fiona
30 Jan at 12:38 am

its a pj party for me,small amount of friends,pitza,beer,tiddley winks competion,maybe makeover,jokes,whatever is stressfree,sleep over,fry in the mourning,great fun for all,bring on forty

ruby
5 Feb at 1:14 am

my husband is 40 this year,so i thought a small dinner for his facebook friends,with a couple of print outs of funny comments,maybe some pf peoples photos etc….and a surprise house party were everyone dresses up os people they have been told hey look like,should go down a treat for our circle of friends…..lookinf forward tto that

abbergaiel
5 Feb at 1:20 am

for my dads 40th birthdat we had a school party every one had to dress up like they were going to school again we rented a hall and made the tables into desks nd had one of our friends dress up like a teacher and give a lesson to the class about any thing she wanted she ended up teaching us about how to use a cell phone it eas great the look on my dads face was so funny cause he finaly figured out how to work his phone

melissa
5 Feb at 5:00 am

Where do you people get all your money??? Cruises, Safaris, Trips…must be rough.

Tony
5 Feb at 10:15 am

For my husbands 40th we are going for a mexican meal with a couple of friends. Then we have booked tickets for volksworld show. A week later we are having a house party where unfortunately the kids out number the adults so will be copying some of the excellent ideas from above. (Scavenger hunt, trivia, Pin birthday boy to the seat of his bus.) Would like to do inflatable sumo wrestling and gadiators but february in the uk is a bit too cold. Presents: Kite boarding taster lesson approx £100 and lottery tickets. Also trying to get some decent pictures of the kids into a frame.

Ally
9 Feb at 11:21 am

it’s my 40th the end of the year but my hubby is useless at organising stuff so doing it myself, have a few ideas from this site but money is an issue so will be looking for short cuts LOL

cally
10 Feb at 1:30 pm

My mum is 40 next year and i have organised for all her friends to bring a memory or picture and i am going to make a timecapsule and bury it in our backgarden. xx
Hope i can help xx

Jodie-ann Oliver x
10 Feb at 9:27 pm

It’s my 40th this year and I’m hiring a hotel function room, live band or DJ (cost depending!!)and I’m having a black and white theme. We’re going to dress the room with black & white balloons and bits, and all the guests have to dress in black and white. That way people can splash out on new outfits if they want, but for those who can’t afford it…well, everyone has something black and white in their wardrobe!! Can’t wait, it’s gonna be a great drunken night!!

Jan
11 Feb at 10:55 am

Have a Rocky Horror Picture Show party. Get everyone to dress up in suspenders and bodices. Play all the music. It’s such fun! Do it now before you’re 50. I did

Janby
11 Feb at 4:57 pm

I just had my 40th birthday party. It was a princess party. My friends and family decorated it with pink tables cloths, pink balloons and a tiara for all the girls. I was given a sash to wear with princess written across it. I even wore a tiara! I had a barbie cake served with a diamond ring as the tiara for me for my present from my husband. It was a fantastic night!! A true princess party….by the end of the night, they replaced my princess sash with a queen sash!

Hayley
23 Feb at 1:52 am

My huisband hates attention and gatherings and believes he has no mates! he also does not like to plan things.

It’s his surprise 40th this sat at his old loal (where he hung out in 20s) downstairs in function room with bar. I sent out 80s themed invites with rubix cube for an 80s do – booked DJ who’ll do 80s music, got a rubix cube cake. And hunted down all his old mates!Got lots of decorations – disposable cameras on tables to then print for a photo album later for him, light grub and on his actual birthday on the Monday gonna light 40 lanterns at the top of ‘our’ hill (after having his fav meal a mexican with family)

HE thinks we’re going on a couples pub crawl as planned time and location – WE’re gonna steer him to his do.

Thank you whoever said avout a ‘remember when’ poster – as I’ll put this up for peeps to fill in.

This will be a most public divorce – or a blast – how exciting!!! x

I have left

Claireydingdongbell
25 Feb at 11:03 am

Hire out a kids soft play area, just adults. Its amazing how child-like we can all be!

sarah
25 Feb at 6:13 pm

For my dads 40th my mom rented a school bus. Loaded on all of my dad’s friends, gave them all baseball hats with balloons tied on the top and they drove around town a la this is your life. His Mom even set up his childhood home like it was a museum, and at one stop a rather large woman came running out of a house dressed like his first girlfriend. They also crashed a local high school football game. People were talking about it for years!

Anonymous
25 Feb at 8:43 pm

whomever said pimps and hos, bless that genious brain of yours!!!! this will rock!

Erin
27 Feb at 5:12 pm

Collect 55 remarkable photos with your friends. Then convert them into playing cards.

Mika
2 Mar at 11:28 am

ice skating and fall on your bum!!!! X

miss cleva X
10 Mar at 5:58 pm

have a neon party

miss cleva X
10 Mar at 5:59 pm

relive your childhood memories have a few old school freinds round for a dinner party or hint to them to invite you around.

miss cleva X
10 Mar at 6:00 pm

hint about a suprise birthday party.

miss cleva X
10 Mar at 6:00 pm

I am having a “funeral” for my husband. His young life is dead and burried his new life is going down hill! HA!! 🙂

Kristy
13 Mar at 11:22 pm

I am suprising my man for his 40th birthday in November. I have rented a hall, hired a DJ, I am requesting the guest to wear black or white. I am going to have the DJ to play 70’s music while we are “Remimber When” I am also going to have a autograph board with pictures of him from childhood to the present. I am so excited because he never been suprised before

Laura
20 Mar at 8:48 pm

Had a good laugh looking at some of the ideas. Especially “Video Party” & “Celebrity Head”. My 40th is creeping up more quickly than I’d realised. I had not planned to make a fuss. Done plenty of
“party-ing” in my life. Looking through for something a little different, I decided what I would love most would be something I have named 40 DEEDS FOR 40 DAYS! Instead of invites to a party, a request to my family & friends to participate in a good deed per day for the consecutive days following my birthday. No matter how large or small, these good deeds would be done in honour of myself & written down on a card to be presented to me (by reading out loud) at the end of the 40 day period at a gathering of some sort ie. bbq or picnic.

Sonya
26 Mar at 12:02 pm

Its a really good idea to make a moment memorable by doing something a little different, try something that no one has seen before, chinese lanterns are good for this type thing, use my name to see my website.

Chinese Lanterns
31 Mar at 3:55 pm

A good friend of ours was having a birthday and his wife, Stacy, asked me to help her with a surprise birthday party for her husband–helping with the Evite and sign up for food, drinks, etc. So I put this all together for them and then my husband took my friend’s husband “bowling” to get him out the house. My husband called me to tell me they were “on their way” to the house. They came in and then imagine my surprise when my friend’s husband ran up to em and held up a sign to my face that said “Happy Birthday, Christine!” The joke was on me! I could not believe it!!!! My husband had resigned himself to the fact that he’s a terrible planner and would never be able to pull off a surprise party for me so he had asked me a few weeks before to give him a list of invitees and that we would have a party at our house. No problem I thought, I was impressed that he was actually discussing this in advance! So that’s when he came up with the idea to have a surprise party and since I am such a good organizer/planner I would plan my own party — I just didn’t know it! He emailed everyone to tell them what the real deal was and he pulled it off! I was truly surprised and had no idea! Kudos to my husband – he made my 40th a party I will never forget! We had BBQ, plus sides that everyone brought, my daughter made a trifold with pictures of my life and my friends/family from out of town all came! My friends and family thought it was pure genius! And it was, love you, Steve! <3

ck
9 Apr at 5:29 am

Love the Rubik’s Cube idea. How hilarious!!!

Donna
17 Apr at 11:32 am

Have upto 16 people come for a ride with the birthday girl/boy in a ‘Stallion Limosine’ which is a 16 seater stretch hummer limosine. (any age)

louisa
18 Apr at 7:10 am

I threw a stunning Morroccan party for my husband, now I don’t know how to top it for mine! I like the school or pyjama party…

Debbie giles
18 Apr at 12:04 pm

For my husbands 40th in 2009,my son and i did a star trek themed party,we hired a venue and asked everyone to come dressed as their favourite sci-fi charecter except the captain of the starship enterprise as that was the uniform i got for my husband,my son was dressed as a clone trooper and all my husbands nephews and niece were too. The dj played the theme from star wars as we walked in,his birthday cake was in the shape of the moon (1969)1st man on moon,and had an astranaut holding a flag with 40 on, on the side of the cake it read one small step for man one giant leap for john,everyone enjoyed dressing up and still talk about it now. Im now looking for ideas for a teenager any ideas anyone

julie
21 Apr at 1:18 pm

40 and Naughty girls night out. Sexy uniforms were compulsory! No men allowed for our girlie pub crawl.
We had police, nurses, school girls, french maids, pilots and the list goes on. Everyone had so much fun

KELLY
28 Apr at 3:24 pm

My wife, turning 40, had decided with her sister to go to London for 4 days. (My wife is German and we live in Germany)
I took 2 days off for work for this. And Im watching both kids.
I had planned a surpise trip to New York for her but it backfired, her sister basically didnt tell me my wifes plan. I found out about the trip from my wife.
So I have found out after 18 years of marriage Im no. 2 in her life.
I was to stupid to see the signs before.
But Im 41, and there is something called the winds of change.
On my 40th, my wife planned nothing. We sat at home and watched TV with the kids.
So, for my 42nd B-Day, I will plan my 4oth B-Day. I have planned a 9 day drip to Cozumel for some diving alone.
But before my B-Day in August, I will plan a lone hiking trip either in Hawaii or Washington State.
(I can fly for free as my sister works for Continental) When my daughters are a little older (at least 10) I will be taking them on my world excursions.

Nick
10 May at 5:49 am

Hi, would love to hear more about the “Amazing Race Party”! I have my own 40th coming up in September and would love to do something unconventional to my group of friends and this is right up my alley!

Tammy
13 May at 4:34 pm

Wife’s bday is dec27, but everybody is always busy. So, doing a birthday in June for her, with girl games like makeup/ lipstuff pinata, pin the junk on the hunk, and wine, cheese and fruit. getting her lady friends to help with the invites.
Also whatever else i can think of for her 40th!
Now if we can keep the surprise a surprise…

Dave
7 Jun at 12:38 pm

I threw a mexican party for my brother in law. Fancy dress, mexican food, lots of mexican party drinks. It was a huge success

Sophie
18 Jun at 8:23 am

My boyfriend took me skydiving for my 40th birthday!
As far as I’m concerned, he didn’t give me skydiving a s a gift, he gave me life affirmation!
He’s turning 40 in August and I have no idea what to do for him!

Sonny
21 Jun at 9:58 pm

My mom is tuning 40 and I’m really excited, but me and my dad cannot deside what to do for her! We have agreed on a powerpoint/slideshow with a guest sign in book,cake, her favorite music playing (top 40) and a huge present (don’t know what that will be for you) We were also thinking about balloons and an album from her past ( top 40 funniest pictures) I am really excited, and I hope it turns out
GREAT!

UNKNOWN
28 Jun at 3:34 am

a slumber party.

slumber party
28 Jun at 3:35 am

For our joint 40th, my husband and I invited 30 of our friends to come black tie to our place for entrees, and then a bus took our guests to a mystery destination, which was a local historical bluestone mansion where we enjoyed a 3 course silver service dinner and the run of the mansion for the night! so much fun – best night ever!

Anonymous
17 Jul at 1:04 pm

for my aunties 40th b-day her theme was the oscar. We told her guests to get all glamed up and at the front door there was a fake papparazi n’all!

kelly may
22 Jul at 3:15 pm

go to a restaurant and have everyone there surprise mom dad friend etc

Sasha Sidhu
29 Jul at 8:13 pm

plan a party on a cannal in a boat

elle
9 Aug at 10:26 am

going to have a ganster & moll’s do for my 40th, complete with roulette wheel, poker games, coktails, gold & black decorations, marquee with fairy lights. guests will be given tokens to swop for “chips” the winning woman & man will get a bottle of champers each.
i also heard a really good idea, everyone brings an ipod & gets to play their fav 5 songs, that way everyone is up dancing to what they like & you get to hear stuff you havent heard in a while.
cant wait!

vanessa
14 Aug at 6:15 pm

Think I will take mine to a male strip club. Claims she has never been to one. LOL

Rob
21 Aug at 2:09 am

go to a restaurant and have all of his or her friends come and suprise him or her at the restaurant.

nicole
31 Aug at 3:57 pm

My husband has been talking for some time now about getting a sail boat to go around Australia when we retire.

For his 40th I wanted to ignite his dream so sent him on a 6 day sailing course with the Whitsunday Marine Academy, on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland in Australia.

He loved it, talks about it all the time and it will now be an annual event so he can up skill for the big day!

Jasmine
5 Sep at 10:39 am

My daughter will be 40 in Feb. 2010. She loves heavy metal, especially KISS. Thinking of decorating with heavy metal rockers’ pictures then and now. Perhaps invitations could be on cassette tapes. Maybe guests could make up their faces with KISS makeup. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Of course I will have an area with things from her childhood, ie, favorite candy, movies, clothes, etc. Please help me to make this a great success. Aloha, Jo Chandler

Jo Chandler
13 Sep at 2:02 am

So, here’s the deal-
I will be 40 in December just before Christmas. Everyone gets so busy at that time – I’m thinking of having the party early.

So – I LOVE HALLOWEEN – I am thinking of a 40th Birthday/ Halloween Costume party with all black accessories and the standard gobblins and ghouls.

Is it crazy to celebrate 6 weeks early?

Michelle
3 Oct at 1:09 am

Our friends are spread far and wide, around the globe…so I had them pick a bottle of wine from our local wine shop, where they could pay by internet, and email me a note. I secretly collected the bottles over the course of a few weeks. After a wonderful dinner out on his birthday, we came home to 40 bottles of wine with notes attached…

In his quiet way, my honey was touched to have been remembered by so many people…and to have his cellar stocked!

My 40th is in two weeks…Dublin, here we come!

Nicole
5 Oct at 1:51 am

We took Dad for his 40th to a big shooting gallery, it was awesome, he is totally into guns so he loved it!

Katie
16 Oct at 6:23 am

How ignorant is the person who criticises people spelling organise with an s!
Lots of my friends play instruments and one is “the slum poet” so I’m hiring a hall and we’ll create our own entertainment (and probably drink a lot of real ale)
Steve – Colchester (England where it’s spelled organise)

Steve
17 Oct at 6:03 pm

I have planned a trip around the world (6 month) for my wife (she hasn’t got a clue)! We will trip off with a sailing boat from Sydney, South pacific…..and so on. I reckon she will be excited as she loves traveling.

Frenzzy
21 Oct at 4:58 am

Awesome Ideas… and Thanks for correcting the one that tried to correct the proper spelling in the UK. LOl

I am having a Pinata filled with little liquior bottles and candy. 🙂 cheers!

Marcey
23 Oct at 5:05 am

I’ll be 40 next April 2011. I’m half way planning a trip to my country Puerto Rico with about 12 girlfriends. There are a lot of things (all of them funn..) to do the this beautiful “Enchantment Island”, but still looking for ideas we will be there for a week and I was thinking on having a special night every day….we will have the BIG party on Friday! Any ideas?

Marisol
1 Nov at 5:33 pm

For my Hub’s 40th, I am throwing him a karoake bash. It will be a surprise party and he has no clue. We haev friends who run a karoake business in the local pubs so I am fortunate enough to have them, but you rent a system. We have a huge veranda the lenght of our house and I will convert into a ‘pub’ with colored lights and the karaoke. I am renting tables and chairs to put out and having bowls of pretzels and nuts on the tables. I am also doing a light buffet. I am having a drink table with bottles of spirits and coke and sprite and then putting coolers of beer and Bundy on floor at the end of the drink table.
Just for the 2 of us, on a differnt night, I have booked a cruise on the Sydney Harbour.

Peaches
11 Nov at 4:37 am

How about keeping it simple.Celebrating anything is about being with people you love or whose company you enjoy. Dont try to make it too contrived – just have a few family and friends for drinks at home. You could have a ‘bring and eat/drink’ where each guest brings some food or drink to share. Throw in some good music and if you wanted a little something different, how about hiring a hog roast.

Karen M
21 Nov at 8:02 pm

Barbie and Ken party where everyone dresses up as Barbie, Ken. ie, bride barbie, ballet barbie, action ken, prom ken, just google any characters they have played. you can also use it for a surprise wedding where your friends dont know you are getting married. food for thought mmm

Charlie Girl
9 Dec at 2:04 am

I decided for my 40th this year (NYE), I would celebrate the fact that my dreams pretty much have come true. So we’ve asked people to come as their own dream come true.

Melissa
19 Dec at 8:39 am

It’s going to be my dad’s 40th b-day soon and we want to make a surprise party. The good thing is that he is away and won’t be back until his b-day the bad thing is that he is coming home at midnight. So we will have it the next day. We r thinking of inviting at least 45 people. We need help with the food ideas and what to do. We don’t want to spend more than $200 and we want to have little kid stuff like a lot of balloons, cake, presents, “happy birthday” song and things like that. Soooooooooooo plz help me.

Thanks
Peace out

hi
6 Jan at 9:55 pm

Well its my ex’s bday Feb/2011 so mom, friend and I r putting together a surprise party,( He really doesnt like attenion, tee yee) My 40th is Oct 2011, so BUNGEEEE JUMPING! for me with the family in black( incase I die, lol) and then dinner with all .

pb
10 Jan at 4:21 am

We are going to the Roller Derby with all of our friends and family for my husband’s 40th. Its $10 and great for all ages, plus, only 3 peeps in the group have ever been. They will announce his birthday on the Jumbotron. When I emailed, one of the players is also turning 40. I’m hoping she drags him out onto the floor!!!!.

Dawn
11 Jan at 3:40 am

BEFORE you start your 40th celebrations, spend some quality time reflecting on all the great things that you have done so far in your life.

The people that you have met, the people that you have helped.

The changes you made that had the greatest benefit in your life.

The cornerstones that you have put in place which you can now build upon.

Now make a list of the most important people in your life, refine the list and throw a great party.

bigsands

Big Sand
26 Jan at 8:58 am

When I turned 40 I decided to embrace the year and complied a list of ’40 things to do at 40′ – on the list was all the things I’d thought about doing for years, but always found some excuse not to do: for example learning to play the piano, sky diving, tap dancing, hot air ballooning, running a marathon, finally reading books that I always wanted to etc etc.

It has made my 40th year such a great adventure and I feel more alive now than I did when I was 20! As a great present you can start your friends/family with their own list and help them achieve some of the experiences they’ve always wanted to.

Rosey
30 Jan at 10:02 pm

Thanks for all of the great ideas… Now I just have to choose one… Turning 40 in Los Angeles in June and cannot decide what I want to do for me… Casino Night, James Bond party, Murder Mystery Train, or just an Old School party at the house???? Any other L.A. suggestions are welcome

Bill
30 Jan at 10:16 pm

For my wife’s 40th bday, i took her to a super expensive restaurant. It was very romantic. Candle light dinner, dimmed lights, everything. Then around 10, we went to a night club. I surprised her by inviting some of her friends. She loved it

annymous
1 Feb at 8:55 pm

My husband and I turned 40 a few years ago. On our 39th birthdays, we compiled a list of things to do before we turned 40. We spent the year having many adventures and scrapbooked about all of them.

For our joint 40th birthday party, we rented a big house and had stations set up all over the house with adventures for our guests to try. The invitations included a “passport to adventure.”

Stations included: inflatable Twister, handwriting analysis, palm reading, building and racing lego cars, walking blindfolded through a maze with mousetraps with partner directing you, a human puzzle where you were tied to your partner and had to untie yourselves, working on a volunteer project (either decorating bags for nursing home patients or writing cards to sick children), drinking a lime pepper drink, eating chocolate bark with red pepper, and getting a henna tattoo.

My husband’s biggest adventure during the year had been shaving his head, so we offered to shave the guest’s heads too. Two of them took us up on it.

Anne
4 Feb at 7:29 pm

my birthday is on 19 march i am 10 years old and i want to celeberate my birthday in school and i want to keep a suprise to my all friends and my family what can i do to suprise to all my frieds and my full family.

ayesha
10 Mar at 7:02 am

My Wife is turning 40 next month and I’m very good at putting these kind of events together so for her 40th I’m throwing a surprise birthday party…. The suprise is, no one but me will be there! She will be floored!

Gareth
17 Mar at 10:38 pm

For my 30th and my boyfriends 40th birthday we rented a hall whith a romeo and Juliet theme party. Everyone had to either dress up like romeo and Juliet or decorate there head with something. The hall was made up like romeo and juliet. we played, romeos chair and pick a box.

adele Jacobs
8 May at 5:25 pm

I’m doing a talent show for my husband’s 40th. I’ve asked guests to share a talent on stage – who knew our friends were comedians, singers and fire-eaters before we all had kids?

Anonymous
23 May at 6:23 am

GET YOUR GIRLS AND DRESS YOUR SELF UP AND MAKEUP BECAUSE HAVING A PHTOSHOOT PARTY IS A GREAT THING TO DO AND YOU CAN KEEP YOUR MEMORIES (:

Photoshoot party!
24 May at 7:29 pm

Go out to a resturante or bar bring your girls it would be a blast and a fun night to remember!

Leah
24 May at 7:32 pm

Julie just so you know in some countries it is spelt organise..as it is indeed in mine. But I digress

Am turning 40 next year and it is a long weekend. Have been joking about getting a sitter for the kids and sleeping for 3 days to try and cath up on all the sleep lost over the past 4 years, but am also toying with the idea of a things to try before you die type party. Obviously nothing overly extreme as you want as many people as possible to particpate, but it might include things like, get your tarot read (have a tarot reader on hand.. there are party readers that are not that expensive) you might also have a karaoke set up for people to sing and record themselves, perhaps an area set up where you can try some ‘weird and wonderful ingredient never tried before…rmember this relates to the birthday person mostly so some may have already tried it) Of course friends can also offer things they might want to try which could be used. IDea is to keep it small (no skydiving etc as that gets expensive very quickly) and perhaps finish off watching a movie the birthday person has always wanted to see but never has for whatever reason (to scary, was to young at the time of release etc etc)

kylie
28 May at 12:29 pm

Launching Chinese Lanterns has always been a great party moment! 40 would be perfect for a 40th birthday, maybe all in different colours!! 🙂

I see that some people ahve suggested a murder mystery party – why not do one that is themed for the 1970s! That’s the decade of our birth after all – yes I am approaching the big 40 too. (sigh) Might as well make a feature of it!

Katie
5 Jul at 5:58 am

I am taking my wife to a jungle expedition in Timbucktwo and then I’m gonna take her for deep sea diving off the coast of Capri. I don’t care about money, her happiness is the most important thing in the world to me. And I have a new outfit for her waiting in every hotel room. I don’t care about money, cause I have lots

stu
28 Jul at 5:20 pm

We made a hay castle and had a huge party with a medival theme. It was a huge success.

:)
2 Sep at 8:08 am

A costume party is great fun, ask everyone to dress up as something beginning with the first initial of your name, or ask everyone to dress up as what they wanted to be when they were five, expect ballerinas, astronauts and race car drivers !

Brenda
18 Sep at 10:15 am

Comic-con party for the geeks. Have Batman, the joker, Darth Vader, etc show up.

Wayne Woodall
21 Sep at 10:15 pm

We are thinking of laser tag in the afternoon with a comedy show at night , dancing after

Ali
5 Dec at 5:58 am

1940’s for turning 40

G T
18 Jan at 12:27 am

Get all your guests to dress up in 1940’s style clothes.

G T
18 Jan at 12:30 am

my husband is turning 40 at the end of the month. he is a captain in the police force. im throwing a surprise bday party for him on the same night he will be on duty….im going to make a prank call to him, on a hoax housebreaking in progress. the theme will be ‘the boys in blue’….works all in my favour because he will have his uniform on. there will be a couple of his friends to escourt him in with r5 rifles and a salute. color scheme is blue and white….and a bright idea on the centre pieces, ‘a toy cop car and gun’….this should be great, hope he likes it.

dee
21 Jan at 3:04 pm

I just turned 40 in August and for my 40th I wanted to do something different. I haven’t had a birthday party since I was 13. I usually don’t celebrate my birthday at all so this year I decided I was going to do it up. I planned a Yacth Party but not only was it gonna be on a boat but there was a theme. All the ladies had to wear “Freakum Dresses” in honor of Beyonce’s song titled Freakum Dress meaaning a dress that you feel absolutely, positively sexy in when you put it on. All the women came dressed in thier dresses looking totally fab!

AG
7 Feb at 3:59 am

Try getting a party script from these people. I went to a party that used their script & it was the most surreal & funny party ever! Definitely hope to use them for my 40th.

Mellanie
27 Mar at 3:31 pm

For my sister’s party, we celebrated a reunion in our house, very familiar. We made a video of photos and we entrusted a personalized song for her to cancionespararegalar.com a site I really recommend. We spent a nice day.

Carla Montes
6 Jul at 5:31 am

Look for ides for 40 party

maxikaan
20 Jul at 12:05 pm

Any ideas for my look-alike friend’s 40 birthday in this year of James Bond being my 50-ieth anniversary also, but not just a party

James Bond
24 Sep at 9:38 am

Last year my husband turned 40, we hired Skaterz in Eltham,VIC. He had never had a party that big as a kid, and is quite shy. By the time the skating was over he was used to being centre of attention and the alchol was opened. Local pizzeria delivered and kids played games and danced on the rink. Oh and I made him a PACMAN cake.
It’s my 40th this year and 4 days after I will graduate after studying partime for 5.5yrs. Not sure what I want to do. I love getting dressed up (formal wear), but think a wii dance party where everyone has to do a dance and come dressed like a character from wii dance party could be happening. I now have some other ideas thanks to this website.
Thank you everyone.

Deb
10 Jan at 7:55 am

So I came here looking for ideas for my 40th while reading some posted got my wheels turning here a few I came up with..

Invite 40 ( or more) and on the invite give each person a year that person has to bring an item from that year. Can be any item either from that year or representing that year. Any thing from a baseball card to a record or news clipping to an item of clothing or a small model of a car you get the idea.This way you have a collection you can continue adding to each year.

How about a BDSM lite party girls can dress in sexy outfits or lingerie and heels ..guys in black suits or leather. Every one. Brings some type of paddle (ping pong. Spoon.. leather belt..homade wooden paddle.. flogger) the birthday boy or girl gets “tied” to a chair or stool with their bottom in the air and each guest gets to take a few turns spanking the guest of honor.

Its scary turning 40 party everyone but the guest of honor dresses like a zombie and go out clubbing or bar hopping and the zombies chase the birthday person all night..at the end of the night in a parking lot when everyone truly feels like a zombie create a couple scene and take pictures..like have the birthday person ten feet in front of the psck looking like their running for their life.. or birthday person in a car with the zombies trying to get in..having 30 plus zombies would make for some cool pics..

Just a few ideas

chris
17 Mar at 8:24 am

I am organising my 40th birthday party. One idea that seems to work and to get friends excited about the party is a flashmob. You can chose your favorite song, make up a funny choreagraphy and get a group of friends to learn it before the party. doesnt need to be perfect. I chose Oh Day! by Belafonte and the choreagraphy of the movie Beetlejuice, when people at a dinner dance possesed by the gohsts of the house. Will let you know how it goes!

Connie
25 Mar at 8:30 am

I recently turned the big 40. We had such a great day. We got all the wives and my friends over and hired an inflatable bungee run. We had such a good laugh and after a few drinks the competition really heated up between us. I would recommend it it anyone. These inflatable toys aren’t just for the kids lol

Jonny
21 Jul at 1:21 am

I had a surprise party for my husband and had everyone dress in tropical attire. I gave him a message in a bottle -5 day cruise just the 2 of us to Grand Cayman. It was great, he said he was a little worried I saved and made payments on a cruise without him knowing 🙂 I was very sneaky.

Tami
5 Aug at 12:42 pm

We booked my husbands 40th Birthday party at a Country House in Hertfordshire via The Country Castle Company website and I must say they are ever so helpful with helping get ideas and options together for you.

All I knew was that we wanted a big house for a party for all our family and friends and the flexibility to do our own catering (to help keep costs down)

They found us a super house with ample bedrooms and a stunning ballroom where we had the big party night on the Saturday. We did a fire and ice theme,with table settings, hot and cold buffet and a fire blower act in the grounds, DJ to round the night off.

It was a real success and we still had all day Sunday to recover and go for walks around the countryside

Adele

Adele Wordsmith
25 Nov at 4:12 pm

My 40th was awesome! We rented a room at the horse race track. There were 12 horse races throughout the day. The guests could bet the horses, while enjoying food and drinks. We had a beautiful buffet set up and to top it off, my name was included in one of the races! We had a great time. Low stress party.

Jordan
4 Dec at 7:39 pm

What about foam party? A super fun party idea during summer season.

Calvin
12 May at 9:49 am

For my husband’s 40th we had a heavy metal party. I asked all guests to wear their favorite rock band t-shirt and we had a headbangers’ ball in our back yard.

Lisa S.
4 Sep at 5:44 am

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Smithf25
25 Oct at 11:28 am

Thak yor for so many wonderful ideas on here, Im 40 on the 4th December, I did not want a big party. And unlike some on here I don’t have alot of money to spend.
I’m just having girls over and have decided to give each person a year and they need to bring something from that year.
Also they are going to be given a celeb name and will have to work out who they are.

Kiri K
13 Nov at 2:47 pm

With great pleasure to read your ideas !! In the near future I will try to implement a couple !! :))

David
20 Feb at 8:56 pm

Co-incidentally for my 40th birthday, my boss had invited the team to an ice hockey game and we got a club room. Had good food, music while watching the game. He got one of my colleague to go find the speedo guy (the guy who goes around the ice hockey rink with just the speedo underwear on) and bring him in. Then the guy gave me a big hug and they took the pictures of us. The next day in the office auditorium, (we were having a work out of 50-70 people), he put up the picture!!! Surprise! That was my memorable 40th!

NA
15 Sep at 5:42 pm

love all these ideas.thank you sooooo much. i am trying to get ideas for my boyfriend’s 40th. will post here when done with the celebrations.

pamela
23 May at 6:25 pm

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